Scripture: Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Thought for the Day: Psalm 58 speaks of how the “righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.” I’m not too sure what to do with those words. They run so contrary to the teachings of Jesus who spoke about an attitude of forgiveness that was to be everlasting, a forgiveness that should mirror what we find in God. This is when it is important to understand the genre of the Psalms. They are honest prayers, not theological doctrine. For that reason, the honest emotion found within the Psalms is not necessarily God’s desire. These ancient prayers express the emotions of people trying to live-out their faith amidst real struggles. I would guess that most people have experienced a moment or two when their vengeful side has desired to dance on the grave of an enemy…or maybe their momentary fantasy reflects the violent spirit of revenge found in this Psalm. I raise this issue today, in part, because I have heard this rhetoric a lot in the last few days. It has been directed toward the Boston bombing suspect who was killed. Though he has finally been buried, there have been many (including Christians) who have wanted all kinds of crazy venge-filled acts unleashed upon the body of the deceased. The origin of that anger and retaliatory emotion is very clear. We have been wounded and made to feel vulnerable, but we must not allow the attitudes of those who have committed such crimes to become our defining characteristics. You might have a moment of contentment after revenge, but an authentic victory is found when we rise above the hateful actions of those who have brought us injury. Forgiveness is the way to healing, and the act of respectful burial has always been a sign of mercy. It’s tough, but we are a better people than what is seen in the calls for vengeance.
Prayer: As you have shown us mercy, O God, assist us as we struggle with our initial reaction that desires revenge. We want to be more like you, yet we know it will happen only as we let your loving mercy reside within us more and more. Amen.
SUNDAY’S SERMON
2 thoughts on “Ecclesiological Etchings: 05-10-13”
I find it difficult to forgive when grieving from a blatant and ignorant acts of hate that murder innocent people. Eventually, I WILL forgive but it takes time to sort out feelings and understanding. In the meantime, I am always working towards that forgiveness with prayer and not hate or more acts of violence.
AMEN! It is always a process, guided by God…assuming we honestly go before God. God is gracious and understands all of our feelings, and then is able to reshape us toward healing and wholeness.